Funds flow for NHLers

Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, a VP on the NHLPA's executive committee, says the lockout money being made available is from their "licensing branch and other money that we have collected." (File Photo)

Players will start receiving a monthly stipend from the NHLPA as early as next week, and reports indicate it could be as much as $10,000 (all terms US) a month until the lockout is settled.

TAX-FREE ... IN CANADA

While players living in the U.S. will be taxed, an NHL source told the Sun that Canadian residents receiving the money will get it tax-free because the government doesn't tax lockout pay.

While players had been forewarned by the union to put money aside because the lockout could last two years, this isn't cash that's coming out of their pockets.

"This is something that comes from our licensing branch and other money that we have collected," Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, a VP on the NHLPA's executive committee, said last night.

"Each player is going to have to apply for (the stipend). There might be some players who feel they have enough (money) and might decide not to collect. The one thing we wanted to make clear is that it's available (to) everybody. Just because you're making $1 million more than another guy, it doesn't mean you can't collect or you get less money.

The Canadian Press reported yesterday players will receive a cheque for $10,000 in November and another in December. Then, payments afterwards will be between $5,000 and $10,000 and could continue for up to two years.

"As a result of the ongoing owners' lockout, the NHLPA executive committee has announced a player stipend plan which consists of an initial 24-month schedule and monthly payments for over 730 locked-out players," NHLPA senior director Ted Saskin said in a statement.

An issue that has yet to be decided is whether Brian Pothier, Jason Spezza, Anton Volchenkov and Antoine Vermette -- who are biding their time with the Senators' AHL affiliate in Binghamton -- and other players in their situation are going to be eligible for the stipend.

The aforementioned players would be in the NHL this season if it weren't for the lockout.

LAST-DITCH OFFER?

Meanwhile, Alfredsson said there is a slim chance the NHLPA will make a last-ditch offer to save the 2004-05 season.

"No, I wouldn't rule it out," said Alfredsson when asked if the union would make a third offer to the NHL. "I think we're still hopeful that there will be some talks before the season is cancelled, (but) I can tell you right now that we're not working on any other offer and we're not planning to make any other offer."